Venture Philanthropy has been described as a newly emerging model of philanthropy that weds the Grant Making methods of Philanthropic Trusts and Foundations with the Venture Capital investment strategy used in business.

It takes non-profits and non-government organisations down the self-financing path towards the goal of sustainability.

Financial backers of venture philanthropy, often referred to as social entrepreneurs, are agents of change. They are experimenting with fresh approaches to the challenges of a global society, such as poverty. They seek to put into place long term programs, as opposed to the traditional one-off philanthropic grants. They are more interested in providing a hand up rather than a hand-out.

Their sphere of influence goes beyond charities to include the wide diversity of non-profits. Voluntary organisations, non-governments organisations (N.G.O.), and community-based associations are among those they seek to assist.

New players in the philanthropic arena are strongly focused on social change and tangible outcomes. They view traditional aid to non-profits / N.G.O.’s & other groups as making these groups dependent on short-term, project-based funding. The long-term goals & objectives become secondary. One such player is NESsT, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation which has committed itself to assisting these groups to achieve their goals by enhancing their financial sustainability.